Election build-up dominates papers

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As the general election moves ever closer, politics dominates the papers.

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/mar/18/lord-ashcroft-hague-pressure-builds">Guardian reports on Lord Ashcroft's peerage,</a> saying ex-Conservative leader William Hague knew of the deal allowing him to keep his special tax status.

The paper tells us the Tory party is closing ranks around the "beleaguered" shadow foreign secretary.

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7067926.ece">Times claims the Ashcroft saga has reinforced the poor opinion voters have of politicians</a> in general, following research in two marginal seats.

Debt priority

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7474376/Labour-warns-of-more-tax-rises-next-year.html">Daily Telegraph says Lord Mandelson broke ranks with the government</a> when he "warned" taxes may have to rise next year if Labour wins the election.

The Chancellor will make paying off the UK's debt his priority in next week's Budget, the Financial Times reports.

It says a "revenue windfall"' of up to £10bn will trim projected borrowing.

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2898713/Sun-unearths-alarming-smears-against-Tories-by-state-owned-BBC.html">Sun accuses the BBC of bias against the Conservatives,</a> citing amongst other examples the "disproportionate" coverage of the Lord Ashcroft row.

Strike threats

The Daily Mirror draws a distinction between the main parties, saying union money given to Labour is transparent but the Tories cannot say the same.

The threat of strikes on <a class="inlineText" href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article7068065.ece">British Airways and the railways in the run-up to Easter is the lead in the Times.</a>

It claims BA has already lost £27m worth of bookings.

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1258986/New-ITV-boss-Adam-Crozier-pick-multi-million-pound-golden-hello-payment.html">Daily Mail says "fat cat" Adam Crozier's pay deal as the new head of ITV</a> could earn him £18m over the next five years in salary and bonuses.

Unlikely endorsement

The <a class="inlineText" href="Daily Mail says">Independent carries a photograph of Christina Schmid,</a> whose late husband was awarded the George Cross along with another bomb disposal expert.

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/126984/Harman-drops-polling-day-hint/">Daily Star claims the election is odds-on to be on 6 May</a> because MPs have a shorter Easter break than usual.

Michelin-starred chef Marco-Pierre White's unlikely endorsement of Bernard Matthews <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1258893/Marco-Pierre-White-signs-deal-Turkey-Twizzler-creators-Bernard-Matthews.html">range of turkey products is covered in the Daily Mail.</a>

It says the news will have other stars "choking on their pan-fried sea bass".